TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2012) – Gas prices continue to show minimal movement at the start of December and it’s likely prices will remain relatively flat until the New Year. Currently, there are equal bearish and bullish pressures that have kept oil prices within the same price range for the past couple of weeks.

"Although gas prices are forecast to remain relatively stable throughout the month, if a plan is announced to resolve the nation’s debt issues, we could see gas prices inch back up,” said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "Gas prices are still about 10 cents higher than year-ago levels."

History has shown once December 31 arrives, the market tends to rally on economic optimism for the New Year. The rally usually causes both oil and gas prices to increase at the start of January.

A barrel of oil closed Friday at $88.91 on the New York Mercantile Exchange—63 cents more than the week prior.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.39, 4 cents less than last week. Florida’s average of $3.37 decreased 2 cents from last week. Both Tennessee’s average of $3.17 and Georgia’s average price of $3.28 remain the same as last week, respectively. Visit AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report to find national, state, and local metro market retail gasoline prices.

Current and past gas price averages: National:

Current-$3.391

Last week-$3.426

Last month-$3.496

Last year-$3.286

Florida:

Current-$3.371

Last week-$3.389

Last month-$3.456

Last year-$3.294

Georgia:

Current-$3.281

Last week-$3.282

Last month-$3.337

Last year-$3.176

Tennessee:

Current-$3.167

Last week-$3.170

Last month-$3.263

Last year-$3.094